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John Gasaway, one of my favorite writers at ESPN just posted his "way too early" list of the top 25 players for next season (insider). Wiltjer is No. 2.
2. Kyle Wiltjer, Gonzaga Bulldogs
More than any other player in Division I, Wiltjer epitomizes the extent to which our perception of college performance is shaped by the NBA's criteria. Wiltjer will be 23 when the 2016 draft rolls around, and he's currently being projected as a mid-second-round pick - when he shows up on the mocks at all. Nevertheless, he's likely to be one of just four returning players to have received some form of All-American recognition in 2014-15 from the Associated Press. (The other three are Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield and Georges Niang.)
The AP's voters displayed sound judgment: Wiltjer had an extraordinary junior season. Until Gonzaga ran afoul of both Duke and NRG Stadium, the Bulldogs had one of the nation's most efficient offenses, thanks in large part to Wiltjer's production. With his combination of size (6-foot-10) and accuracy (57 and 47 percent on 2- and 3-pointers, respectively), he is the most Wisconsin-like frontcourt player to be found anywhere in the world outside of Madison.
More than any other player in Division I, Wiltjer epitomizes the extent to which our perception of college performance is shaped by the NBA's criteria. Wiltjer will be 23 when the 2016 draft rolls around, and he's currently being projected as a mid-second-round pick - when he shows up on the mocks at all. Nevertheless, he's likely to be one of just four returning players to have received some form of All-American recognition in 2014-15 from the Associated Press. (The other three are Malcolm Brogdon, Buddy Hield and Georges Niang.)
The AP's voters displayed sound judgment: Wiltjer had an extraordinary junior season. Until Gonzaga ran afoul of both Duke and NRG Stadium, the Bulldogs had one of the nation's most efficient offenses, thanks in large part to Wiltjer's production. With his combination of size (6-foot-10) and accuracy (57 and 47 percent on 2- and 3-pointers, respectively), he is the most Wisconsin-like frontcourt player to be found anywhere in the world outside of Madison.